Motor for centrifug al machines



(No Model.)

P. M. SHARPLES. MOTOR FOB. OENTRIPUGAL MACHINES.

No. 435,591. Patented Sept. 2, 1890.

I 5 F/Q/ 17 I: r F4 f fg C3 .0 6 a 6 2 5 0 which is shown in section.

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PHILIP M. SHARPLES, OF IVEST CHESTER, PENNSYLVANIA.

MOTOR FOR CENTRIFUG'AL MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 435,591, dated September 2, 1890.

Apnlication filed November 15, 1889. Serial No. 330,486. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PHILIP M. SHARPLES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Vest Chester, in the county of Chester, State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Motors forCentrifugal Machines, &c., of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in motors adapted more especially for operating machines of high velocity-such, for instance, as are used for separating compounds by centrifugal action.

Heretofore steam reaction'whecls have been applied to such machines; but the disadvantages incident to their use have been such as to prevent their more general application. ()wing to its great velocity a very large percentage of the power inherent in the steam has not been utilized, it being impracticable to run the Wheel at anything like the velocity of the escaping steam. Moreover, there has been considerable trouble caused by leaky steam-joints and hot bearings, and the making of necessary repairs has been inconvenient and expensive. The main object of my invention is to overcome these disadvantages as far as as possible, and the features involved are fully set forth herein in connection with the accompanying drawings, and are specifically pointed out in the claim.

Figure 1 is an elevation of a vertical machine provided with my improved motor, Fig. 2 shows more clearly the lower portion of the maehineshaft. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the screw-gearing employed.

A represents the frame of a vertical centrifugal machine, and B the shaft upon which the centrifugal vessel is supported, the latter, as well as the whole upper portion of the machine, not being shown.

A and A are bearin for the shaft 13, and H is a suitable step for the same.

A is the base of the machine-frame, and to it is bolted the frame F of my improved motor-,which frame is formed to serve also as a casing for the steam reaction-wheel C. The latter is supported therein in a horizontal bearing F, forming part of the casing, and is represented as secured to its spindle by means of a central teat C an d bolts D passing through a flange D, formed on the end of the spindle D. The latter runs in a bush E. The central steam-passage G of thewheel branches outward into one or more arms C, from the open ends of which the steam, which is ad mitted from the steam-nozzle G, issues. This nozzle, which is secured to the casing, loosely enters the hollow extended hub of the reaction- \vl1eel, leaving an annular space around it, and the contracted opening of the nozzle is brought sufliciently close to the steampassage of the wheel to insure the spreading jet being inclosed by said passage. The nozzle G is entirely free, there being no attempt at a steam-joint. The casing is provided with an opening F beyond the circle of the steam-wheel, and preferably also with an opening F within said circle and near the center of rotation.

To the shaft B of the machine is secured, between the bearings Aand A a gear wheel or pinion B the spiral cogs B of which approximate the axial line, as indicated most clearly in Fig. 2. On the end of the steamwheel spindle, which stands at an angle to the shaft B, is secured a gear-wheel D", of larger size than B and also formed with spiral cogs D the an gle of which corresponds with that of the cogs on the wheel B as shown in Fig. 3, thus causing the cogs D to be approximately circular. The number of teeth upon the two wheels is evidently not in proportion to their respective diameters, the larger wheel being preferably formed with a less number of cogs than the smaller one. The effect of this construction is that the spindle I) makes a greater number of revolutions than the shaft 13, and the friction and the wear of the gear are very much less than where the wheels are proportioned in diameter to the number of cogs.

The shaft may be provided with a beltpullcy, either secured thereto permanently or in the place of the cog-wheel 13*, thus forming a belt-machine. To apply my reactionmotor to such a machine requires no change, one style of machine only being required for either belt or steam, thus avoiding the neees sity of manufacturing and keeping in stock two different styles, and also permitting them to be quickly converted from one to the other, if desired. The few parts upon which there is any wear can be very easily replaced.

The operation of my improved motor is as follows: The steam supplied through the nozzle G enters the central steam-passage C of the wheel in the same manner as an injector, the spreading jet being inclosed by the enlarged passage 0 and conducted outward to the open ends of the curved arms C of the wheel, the rapid rotation of which, caused by the recoil of the wheel in a direction opposite to that of the issuing steam, assists by its centrifugal action the free passage of the steam through the arms and prevents any possible leakage of steam around the loose nozzle G. The same centrifugal action also prevents any of theexhaust-steam from occupying the space within the circle of rotation, thus barring any escape of said exhaust through the opening F. This opening thus serves the purpose of permitting ready inspection of the motor during its operation and greatly facilitates the proper balancing of the reaction-wheel. It also permits an inflow of fresh air to the casing, thus assisting the escape of the exhaust-steam through the opening F and increasing the effective power of the motor. The screw-geari11gB D allows the steam-wheel to be run at a much higher speed than is practicable with ordinary forms of gear on account of excessive friction and wear with the latter, and a high wheel-speed is Very desirable on account of the very great velocity with which the steam (as before referred to) issues from the wheel and which necessitates a high speed to get economical results.

Having thus fully described my invention, I do not limit myself to the exact construction shown, but what I claim is The combination, with a shaft stepped, substantially as described, in suitable bearings and having a gear-wheel thereon, said shaft adapted to carry the vessel to be rotated, of a casing, a shaft journaled therein and carrying a gearwheel which meshes with the wheel on the othershaft, a reaction-wheelhavin g a hollow hub,'and asteam-n ozzle discharging into said hub, said casing having an exhaust-steam port and an air and sight opening therein, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

PHILIP M. SHARPLES. Witnesses:

MARTHA SHARPLES, CARRIE H. JACKSON. 

